Possess The Magic returns

Three-year-old filly trotter Possess The Magic, 2006’s richest freshman regardless of gait and fastest juvenile trotter regardless of sex, made her 2007 qualifying debut Thursday at the Meadowlands, finishing second by a half length behind peer Gerri’s Joy in 1:54.4.

The qualifier was the first appearance by the daughter of Self Possessed since she won the Breeders Crown last October at Woodbine. A nine-time winner in 13 starts as a freshman, her career-best effort of 1:54.2 in an International Stallion Stake division at The Red Mile three weeks prior to the Crown victory was the fastest mile ever trotted by a 2 year old regardless of sex. She finished the year with $697,540 in earnings for breeder-owner Brittany Farms.

With Mike Lachance driving for trainer Ron Gurfein, Possess The Magic left from post seven in the qualifier, was parked until just past the :57.4 half, and then—despite trotting a final quarter of :27.4—was unable to fend off the late rally of Merrie Annabelle winner Gerri’s Joy.

“I had to rough it up a little bit the second quarter, and I didn’t want to pull the plugs at the end,” Lachance told harnessracing.com shortly afterward. “We were going fast enough, 1:54.4. She just got nipped at the wire, but she’s excellent right now. She is just stronger (than 2006). She should have a good year.”

Gurfein added Possess The Magic will now make her pari-mutuel debut in a New Jersey Sire Stakes contest Wednesday, June 6, at the Meadowlands.

“She was excellent,” said Gurfein. “She sat in the middle of the racetrack, advanced to the front, got to the front, and the other filly came at her and Mike just held sway.”

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